Hillstone’s in Winter Park – new and old favorites

Hillstone’s in Winter Park recently released a few new menu items and the pr folks at Wellons Communications invited us to showcase it here on TastyChomps. It was my first time to the restaurant, originally called Houston’s until they changed their name to Hillstone’s in 2010. Hillstone’s name derives from the hillside vineyard in the Napa Valley which produces Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Executive General Manager Todd Martin opened the Winter Park branch of the national high-end chain in 1996 and continues to oversees operations here at Hillstone’s today.

The restaurant is most known for its beautiful view on Lake Killarney, with tall windows facing the lake and a nice sized outdoor dining area, the view is rather stunning, especially on those cool central Florida afternoons. They have a strict no cell phone policy in the dining room in order to sustain a focus on the dining experience, but I wonder how long that will last as our society becomes more and more digital oriented, for better or for worse, with all the tweeting, facebooking, foodspotting, e-mailing, texting, etc. that goes on with our smart phones as the world becomes more and more interconnected. We’ll have to see, but until then I think the no cell phone policy is a brief, maybe soon to be antiquated, but welcome respite from that brave new world.

The dining menu recently came out with their new deviled eggs, made from a classic Texas family recipe served with Crystal’s hot sauce and topped with cracked pepper and parsley.

They also released their new banana cream pie, made with a vanilla custard filling base, and includes a walnut and graham cracker crust. This treat is topped with fresh bananas, homemade whipped cream, caramel sauce and chocolate dust.

The prices are a bit high here but the food was decent and it’s worth it if you have the discretionary income needed to eat out often or for that special night out .

Photos from the event:

The new Deviled Eggs at Hillstone’s

The new Banana Cream Pie at Hillstone’s

Stone Crab

Brussel Sprouts

Hawaiian Rib Eye, reminiscent of the Korean kalbi barbecue short ribs, this steak is marinated for 48 hours in pineapple juice, soy sauce and is hardwood grilled, served with a baked potato.